Howl For It
Page 34
Yeah.
And?
And I think he was undressing you with his big, dumb dog eyes. Hes not to be trusted. Plus I heard the Van Holtzes have a real problem with mange.
First off, Egbert Ray Smith, Mr. Van Holtz has a mate hes devoted to. And secondly, the Van Holtzes havent had a breakout of mange for at least a decade.
That makes me feel better. I also heard they spread distemper. Theyre dirty, nasty distemper dogs, runnin around, spreading disease to unsuspecting pretty She-wolves like yourself.
Eggie Ray!
Its true. The males of that Pack are known for having Canine Transmitted Diseases. CTD.
Ill only say this once to you: The Van Holtzes do not Darla stopped talking abruptly and leaned back a bit, eyes narrowing on Eggies face. Egbert Ray Smith . . . are you jealous?
Eggie snorted. A Smith jealous of a Van Holtz? Why do you ask? Did hell freeze over?
So youre not jealous?
No. Im not jealous. Thats what the Smiths would call crazy talk.
Huh. I see.
I have no reason to be jealous of a goddamn
Blaspheme!
Van Holtz, and Im not about to start now. For anybody. I was just giving you a friendly word of warning.
About the Van Holtzes and their CDT?
Exactly.
Darla turned in his arms and sat down on his lap. Unlike your brothers . . . youre kind of quietly stupid.
Sometimes. Eggie scratched his head. Its not my fault, though. Its your fault!
My fault?
Youre confusing me and making me do stupid and ridiculous things. Things I would never do!
Such as?
Instead of doing what I do well, which is hunt down these murdering friends of yours
Theyre not my friends!
and killing them so you cant be hurt or at risk ever again, Im not doing that because I know you wouldnt want me to. So, instead Im sitting here, about to go have dinner with my family. Which is also your fault, cause they wouldnt have invited me if it werent for you.
Of course they would have.
Darla, no one likes having me around.
I do.
Eggie studied her. You do?
Im here, arguing about dog mange and other ridiculousness, Eggie Ray. And the only reason for that must be because I like being around you. Youre so cute and charming. . . in your own terrifying, predatory way, which works fine for me because, you know . . .She-wolf.
His arms still around Darla, Eggie hugged her tight, burying his face against the side of her neck. Thats the nicest thing anyones ever said to me, Darla Mae.
I know, darlin, but with some effort, Im sure we can make that better for you.
Eggie chuckled and gripped Darlas waist, lifting her up. She squealed a little and laughed and he loved the sound of it. Turning her around, he brought her down on his lap facing him, her legs straddling his waist.
Once settled, Darla pushed Eggies hair off his face and, without fear, looked into his eyes. Your beards growing back.
Yep.
Will you have to shave it when you go back on duty? And cut your hair?
Depends on what they have me doing. Im not like other Marines, Darla. My training was different, where Im stationed is different, I rarely wear my uniform, even the job I do is different.
Were you drafted?
He snorted, smiled a little. Smiths dont get drafted.
No, I mean when there was a draft.
Smiths dont get drafted, he repeated. Not after what happened with us during World War I.
What happened during World War I?
Eggie stared at her and finally answered, Nothing. When her eyes narrowed, he decided to keep talking. Anyway, we were told we were no longer allowed in the military except on a case-by-case basis. I actually had six weeks of evaluation before I ever went into Basic Training.
Because of the nothing that happened during World War I?
Uh-huh.
You are the worst liar.
Eggie sighed and admitted, It aint my strong suit.
Darla started to say something but his momma yelling from the backyard beat her to it. Eggie! Darla Mae! Come on, you two. Were about to eat.
Be right there, Darla called back.
You hungry? he asked her.
Starving. She pressed her hands to his shoulders. Can I ask you something first, though?
Sure.
Something you said earlier . . . about not going after Mr. Kozlows sons . . . Eggie nodded. You said you didnt because you knew I wouldnt want you to.
Yeah. I knew huntin somebody down and getting them before they can get you wouldnt sit right with you.
It wouldnt. I mean, I know my sisters wont ever agree with my philosophy on this sort of thing, and I cant say Id feel the same way if it was one of my nieces or nephews, but for me . . . personally . . . it would just bother me.
And?
And I think he was undressing you with his big, dumb dog eyes. Hes not to be trusted. Plus I heard the Van Holtzes have a real problem with mange.
First off, Egbert Ray Smith, Mr. Van Holtz has a mate hes devoted to. And secondly, the Van Holtzes havent had a breakout of mange for at least a decade.
That makes me feel better. I also heard they spread distemper. Theyre dirty, nasty distemper dogs, runnin around, spreading disease to unsuspecting pretty She-wolves like yourself.
Eggie Ray!
Its true. The males of that Pack are known for having Canine Transmitted Diseases. CTD.
Ill only say this once to you: The Van Holtzes do not Darla stopped talking abruptly and leaned back a bit, eyes narrowing on Eggies face. Egbert Ray Smith . . . are you jealous?
Eggie snorted. A Smith jealous of a Van Holtz? Why do you ask? Did hell freeze over?
So youre not jealous?
No. Im not jealous. Thats what the Smiths would call crazy talk.
Huh. I see.
I have no reason to be jealous of a goddamn
Blaspheme!
Van Holtz, and Im not about to start now. For anybody. I was just giving you a friendly word of warning.
About the Van Holtzes and their CDT?
Exactly.
Darla turned in his arms and sat down on his lap. Unlike your brothers . . . youre kind of quietly stupid.
Sometimes. Eggie scratched his head. Its not my fault, though. Its your fault!
My fault?
Youre confusing me and making me do stupid and ridiculous things. Things I would never do!
Such as?
Instead of doing what I do well, which is hunt down these murdering friends of yours
Theyre not my friends!
and killing them so you cant be hurt or at risk ever again, Im not doing that because I know you wouldnt want me to. So, instead Im sitting here, about to go have dinner with my family. Which is also your fault, cause they wouldnt have invited me if it werent for you.
Of course they would have.
Darla, no one likes having me around.
I do.
Eggie studied her. You do?
Im here, arguing about dog mange and other ridiculousness, Eggie Ray. And the only reason for that must be because I like being around you. Youre so cute and charming. . . in your own terrifying, predatory way, which works fine for me because, you know . . .She-wolf.
His arms still around Darla, Eggie hugged her tight, burying his face against the side of her neck. Thats the nicest thing anyones ever said to me, Darla Mae.
I know, darlin, but with some effort, Im sure we can make that better for you.
Eggie chuckled and gripped Darlas waist, lifting her up. She squealed a little and laughed and he loved the sound of it. Turning her around, he brought her down on his lap facing him, her legs straddling his waist.
Once settled, Darla pushed Eggies hair off his face and, without fear, looked into his eyes. Your beards growing back.
Yep.
Will you have to shave it when you go back on duty? And cut your hair?
Depends on what they have me doing. Im not like other Marines, Darla. My training was different, where Im stationed is different, I rarely wear my uniform, even the job I do is different.
Were you drafted?
He snorted, smiled a little. Smiths dont get drafted.
No, I mean when there was a draft.
Smiths dont get drafted, he repeated. Not after what happened with us during World War I.
What happened during World War I?
Eggie stared at her and finally answered, Nothing. When her eyes narrowed, he decided to keep talking. Anyway, we were told we were no longer allowed in the military except on a case-by-case basis. I actually had six weeks of evaluation before I ever went into Basic Training.
Because of the nothing that happened during World War I?
Uh-huh.
You are the worst liar.
Eggie sighed and admitted, It aint my strong suit.
Darla started to say something but his momma yelling from the backyard beat her to it. Eggie! Darla Mae! Come on, you two. Were about to eat.
Be right there, Darla called back.
You hungry? he asked her.
Starving. She pressed her hands to his shoulders. Can I ask you something first, though?
Sure.
Something you said earlier . . . about not going after Mr. Kozlows sons . . . Eggie nodded. You said you didnt because you knew I wouldnt want you to.
Yeah. I knew huntin somebody down and getting them before they can get you wouldnt sit right with you.
It wouldnt. I mean, I know my sisters wont ever agree with my philosophy on this sort of thing, and I cant say Id feel the same way if it was one of my nieces or nephews, but for me . . . personally . . . it would just bother me.
